My 1974 BMW 2002

From shell to road, the rebuilding of a classic automobile my way.

September to October 2002

Finally have the springs on and the rear is down. When installing the rear springs it maybe hard to figure out how they go. Just remember to put the part number at the bottom. Everything else is pretty straight forward. Next comes the front end!

Before I could work on the blue car I wanted to lower my silver one to make it more stable, so be using my telekinetic powers...... and my engine hoist I got it down to a more stable position. Then using two jacks and the engine hoist I maneuvered the engine into position. Then lifted the car front end with the hoist and with the help of my father and younger brother moved the engine under the car. Once in the right spot, lowered the car to the stands and lifted the engine into place. Currently the subframe is bolted up but not the struts. If you ever do this job make sure you put the struts on the inside of the fenders. Last pic is the tranny mount, the bushing I'm sure needs to be replaced.

This is one of the strut housings that I am putting on my car. I discovered that the struts currently on the car were shot. So now I get to use these ones I got from Rob T at 2002 Haus 2 years ago. I also have new strut inserts that I got 2 years ago, but never got to use on my 75.


Got a lot done this last time, this pictures actually cover three days, two days of work and two car I saw on the way over to my parents house. First picture is of my two 74s, then just the blue one. Next is the tii fuel pump. Then the regulator and fuel pump that I'll be using since I have a Weber 32/36 and not an injection system. Then we have the strut housing and backing plate. Some shots of me cutting the bolt on the bottom of the strut housing. It was stuck and striped, plus I had new ones. Another shot of the strut housing, greased up and the hub and rotor with new grease. Finally we have one side on, and chrome painted springs. Then the Ferraris.

I finally got the car rolling. Took a little but to get the struts together, especially because of the bolt shown in the first picture. The other ones just show the progress of the work and before and after it was cleaned outside. I was also able to clean the garage floor so now I won't get so dirty while working on it.

Went to the salvage yard yesterday and picked up a steering wheel and alternator from an 83 320. The alternator is a 65 amp compared to the 45 stock one. Will take a custom bracket to get it to work but shouldn't be a problem. I put in the radiator today too, although not bolted in. In order for it to fit right in the standard 02 you have to cut the battery tray back a little bit, it then clears with no problem. Started pulling the wiring from the old car. Need bug spray! It actually doesn't appear to be to hard, I just have to pull most of the interior first to get to all that stuff.

Here are my new calipers. They are two different brands of reman. but they look the same and should work the same. The one that is brighter and has the rubber nipples is the Beck/Arnley, the other A1 Cardone. I had ordered two A1 Cardone but they no longer made one of them.

I found out today blow torches are fun. Oh and they loosen stuck bolts really nicely. I had to move the components from on pedal box to the other. At first it wasn't going easy, then the blow torch and everything went right along. It's surprisingly easy to rebuild one of these, of course making sure everything is adjusted right is a little more difficult. Once it is in the car I'll take care of that. I painted it while I had it apart so it would look better and would protect the metal some. The throttle spring is a little tricky too, but if it doesn't seem right when you put it on, try wrapping it around one more time and the spring should tension up. I'll probably write something up on this for everyone if there isn't already.

Got a little bit more done, worked on pulling more of the wiring harness. Also started pulling the carpet and the seats. There are some other pictures too, the real good gas tank, alternator and the old A/C unit.

Got the carpet put. Pulled the tail lights and fitted them to the new car. Worked more on the wiring harness. Also found out that I'll need e30 seats. The 02 seat mounting spots were removed. Off to U-wrench-it I guess.